Peter King wrote
>1 million 2 inch brads at 4 lb. per 1000 would weigh 4000 lb., or
rather under 2 tons. These were probably priced at 7d. per lb. in that
contract (the text not being clear), so that they would have cost £116.<
Dear Peter
I do not think we have the contract, only a report of the court case. I
must
see if I can find the book Gerald had it from. He does quote his sources,
even in a book clearly aimed mostly at older children. I think the
rapporteur may have
misinterpreted what was said and that the quantity of nails were quoted as
"one million at 6s 1d" which to a knowledgeable person perhaps would mean
"6s 1d
per some quantity" Of course it may have been "2 orders of a million at
11s
2d".
In any case some doubt about this cost as reported clearly exists.
I cannot see where they would use two million nails except for building
lath
and plaster partitions or ceilings - not usual in a copper works.
Peter Hutchison.
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